Side Hustles: A Sign Of Desperation Or A Recipe For Fulfillment?

If you’re like a growing number of people in today’s workforce, you’re not just clocking in for a 40-hour-per-week, 9-to-5 full-time job. Instead, your income relies, at least to some extent, on a tapestry of smaller jobs, some of which might offer consistent work while others can be sporadic at best.

But are these “side hustles” actually good for the economy and those who are doing them? That’s a common question and it’s hard to definitively answer … but it probably depends a lot on your primary boss.

Adam’s story

Many tech companies have popped up in recent years to help creative folks make the most out of their side hustles. And one of the most notable is Patreon, which allows supporters to give directly to their favorite creators (after Patreon takes its cut, of course).

Adam Wagner has a full-time job at the company, but his bosses also encourage him to take on other projects, such as writing crossword puzzles that have been featured in The New York Times.

While you might think this would cause Adam to spread himself thin and drop the ball at his main job, the opposite seems to be true. Patreon exec Rory Brown said that it’s “really healthy for people to have that energy outside of work” and can make people “happier when they do things they’re passionate about.”

Instead of accelerating burnout, the right side hustle might stave off those workplace frustrations.

On the rise

Many employers are discovering the potential upside of allowing, if not encouraging, full-time employees to pursue outside jobs. A new FTC rule prohibiting non-compete clauses in worker contracts is likely to fuel that trend.

And if you can find the right side hustle(s) and receive support from those around you, that might be a good thing.

Chris Agee June 15th, 2024

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